Node element for pneumatic components

ABSTRACT

Joint element for a pneumatic structural element ( 1 ) according to the prior art, comprising a sleeve ( 2 ), a compression member ( 3 ), two tension members ( 4 ) and two spherical caps ( 5 ). In each case one joint element is fitted for the spherical caps ( 5 ) such that an opening ( 10 ) accommodates the spherical cap ( 5 ). The joint elements serve for introducing tensile and compressive forces, in a manner free of bending moments, into the pneumatic structural element ( 1 ), the compressive forces being absorbed by the compression member ( 3 ) and the tensile forces being absorbed by the tension members ( 4 ). The joint element has holes ( 12 ) for fastening the compression member ( 3 ) with a screw ( 15 ), on the one hand, and holes ( 11 ) for accommodating the tension members ( 4 ), on the other hand. The symmetrical arrangement of the holes ( 11, 12 ) ensures that the vectors of bearing forces and of the tensile and compressive forces in the joint element added together give zero and, furthermore, the bending moments occur symmetrically in relation to the compression members ( 3 ). Configuring the joint element as a plate ( 9 ) ensures that torques are neither introduced from the outside nor diverted to the outside.

The present invention relates to a joint element for pneumatic structural elements and associated connecting elements according to the preamble of Patent claim 1.

Joint elements for non-pneumatic structural elements are known per se, for example going by the name of MERO systems. The task of these joint elements is to introduce tensile and compressive forces, in a manner free of bending moments, into framework structures. A pneumatic structural element is known, for example, from European Patent Application 01 903 559.1 of the same inventor. The operation of connecting the structural element described in this document to a joint using known means, however, is not without problems since bending moments produced from the reaction to bearing pressure cannot be completely avoided without excessive outlay in respect of auxiliary structural means.

The object of the present invention is to provide a joint element which allows the tensile, compressive and bearing forces to be brought together without the occurrence of local bending moments and which, furthermore, also allows the bearing forces to be introduced into known and conventional structural elements.

The solution to the set object is represented, in respect of its fundamental features, in the characterizing part of Patent claim 1 and, in respect of further advantageous embodiments, in the subsequent patent claims.

The idea of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments and with the aid of the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 a shows the prior art in a schematic side view,

FIG. 1 b shows the prior art in a cross section,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a joint element,

FIG. 3 shows the first exemplary embodiment in a first longitudinal section,

FIG. 4 shows the first exemplary embodiment in a second longitudinal section,

FIG. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment in longitudinal section,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 7 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment in longitudinal section,

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a first connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a second connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a third connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a fourth connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a fifth connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a sixth connecting element according to the invention, and

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a seventh connecting element according to the invention.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic side view of a pneumatic structural element 1 according to the prior art. It comprises a sleeve 2, a compression member 3 and two tension members 4. The sleeve 2 is produced from a woven textile fabric which does not expand to a great extent and is either coated in a gas-tight manner or is provided internally with a flexible gas tube which is made of elastic polymer material and performs the sealing function. The compression member 3, as can be seen from FIG. 1 b, has been pushed, for example, into a pocket 6, running along the sleeve 2 and fastened thereon by sewing and sealing, welding or adhesive bonding, and it extends over the entire, essentially cylindrical, length of the sleeve 2. At its ends, the compression member 3 is fixed to the ends of the two tension members 4, which are positioned in opposite helical directions around the sleeve 2 and abut tightly there. They may be drawn through lugs 7 fastened on the sleeve 2 in order for their position to be defined even when the sleeve 2 is slack. Joints 8 form the connecting locations of the compression member 3 and tension members 4.

At its ends, the sleeve 2 is closed by two spherical caps 5, for example made of the same material as the sleeve 2.

FIG. 2 is the perspective illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of the joint element according to the invention. The latter comprises a plate 9 with a large opening 10 for the spherical cap 5 of the pneumatic structural element 1. The plate 9 here is, for example, of square configuration and contains four lots of holes 11, 12. The four holes 12 are located in the centre of a row of holes in each case. In the hole 12 of the top row of holes in FIG. 2, the compression member 3 is fastened, for example, with a screw 15, as can be seen from FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is the longitudinal section AA through the illustration of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is the longitudinal section along section plane BB. The bores of the holes 11 run, for example, obliquely through the plate 9. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, in each case three holes 11 to the left and right of the compression member 3 are occupied by in each case one cable 16. These in each case three cables 16 are guided parallel to one another and, together, form the tension member 4 described in relation to FIG. 1. The cables 16 are secured in the plate 9 by nuts 17, as is known from the technology of prestressing cables for reinforced-concrete structures. The holes 11, 12 which are occupied here are located on a straight line. Since the stressing of the cables 16 is equalized, the only bending moment is produced in the plate 9 itself; however, none is diverted to the pneumatic structural element.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, force arrows are designated F_(A). These relate to the bearing forces. The vectors of the compressive forces, which are exerted by the compression member 3, of the tensile forces, which are produced by the cables 16, and of the bearing forces may be added together in the plate 9 to give zero, without bending moments being produced in the compression member 3. Possible materials for the plate 9 are, for example, aluminium, glass-fibre-reinforced plastics, carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics or multi-layered plywood.

FIG. 5 illustrates, as a second exemplary embodiment, a further configuration of the first exemplary embodiment. The plate 9, once again, has the large opening 10, albeit of particular design: in a first portion 18, the opening 10 is of a cylindrical configuration and contains a first O-ring groove 19 with a first O-ring 20. The latter provides sealing against the outside of the cylindrical part of the sleeve 2. The first cylindrical portion 19 is adjoined by a second portion 21, which essentially has the form of the spherical cap 5 located in the opening 10. Instead of the spherical cap 5, a cover 22 modelled, for example, on the spherical cap 5 is provided here. It is also possible—depending on expediency—for this cover to be formed in some other way; it is only its essentially conical or spherical profile within the second portion 21 which is essential to the invention.

Also within the cylindrical part of the first portion 18, the cover 22 is likewise cylindrical and, there, contains an O-ring groove 23 with a second O-ring 24, which provides sealing against the inside of the cylindrical part of the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is clamped in between the plate 9 and the cover 22, in the conical or spherical part 21 of the opening, by the cover 22, and the latter is forced against the plate 9 by the positive pressure prevailing in the sleeve 2. The sealing function is performed, as has been described, by the two O-rings 20, 24. The rest of the plate 9 may be configured in accordance with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

It is, of course, also possible for the cover 22, instead of being of spherical configuration, to have some other, for example planar, form, along with corresponding reinforcement of the wall.

A third exemplary embodiment of the joint element according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. It is provided for a pneumatic structural element 1 with a plurality of—in this case eight—compression members 3 and, by way of example, two tension members 4 per compression member 3. The plate 9 here is designed as a round flange 27 with a large opening 10 for the spherical cap 5 of the pneumatic structural element 1. The flange 27 contains, in accordance with the number of compression members 3, holes 12 for the screws 15 for fastening the compression members 3. In accordance with the number of tension members 4 per compression member 3, the flange 27 contains holes 11 for fastening the tension members 4.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the flange 27 does not contain any further holes. For fastening on further static structures and for the introduction of supporting forces, the flange 27, or a round plate 9 in general, can be clamped into a plate 28, as is illustrated in section in FIG. 7. The plate 28 here contains, for example, a circular opening 31 for accommodating the flange 27. A further, for example circular plate 29 contains an opening 32. Both plates 28, 29 are provided with a circular shoulder 33 which fits with the necessary amount of accuracy over the flange 27 and accommodates the latter. By means of screws 30, the two plates 28, 29 can be fastened in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner on one another. The external form of the plate 28 may be round, quadrilateral or polygonal, depending on the structural and design-related requirements. It may, furthermore, contain a multiplicity of holes 34 for fastening the pneumatic structural element 1 on further static structures and for introducing supporting and bearing forces.

Of course, it is also possible for the plate 9 according to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 to be of circular configuration and to be encased by means of the plates 28, 29 described in relation to FIG. 7.

The possible formations either of the plate 9 itself—as has already been illustrated in FIG. 2—or of the plate 28 according to FIG. 7 belong to the joint element according to the invention.

Quadrilateral, or if need be square, plates 9, 28 can be used for connecting elements according to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, as is shown hereinbelow. If one or, at most, four pneumatic structural elements 1 is or are to be positioned, for example, on a column 40, as is illustrated in FIG. 8, then use may be made, for example, of a cubic connecting element 41. The plates 9, 28 are screwed onto the suitably designed connecting element 41. The pneumatic structural elements are only illustrated schematically; this is not associated with any restriction in their design.

A variant of this is shown in FIG. 9. Here, use is made of a connecting element 42 of triangular cross section for connecting, at most, three pneumatic structural elements 1.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 is conceived for connecting, at most, six pneumatic structural elements 1. Accordingly, a connecting element 43 has a hexagonal horizontal projection with preferably square side surfaces. Designing the side surfaces as squares has the advantage that, if the pneumatic structural elements 1 are equipped with four, eight or twelve compression members 3, there is no need to ensure correct orientation. If, however, a certain orientation is to be maintained, then this can be made certain by the provision of a protuberance 44, as is illustrated in FIG. 9. To summarize the configuration of the connecting elements 41, 42 and 43, their horizontal projection may be defined as polygonal, the bottom and top surfaces of the connecting elements 41, 42 and 43 being of equal magnitude and the pneumatic structural elements 1 fastened thereon all being located in the same plane.

FIG. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a planar arrangement of pneumatic structural elements 1. In this case, the, for example, square plates 9, 28 are screwed one beside the other to a carrying element (not illustrated). Such carrying elements, as structures which are known per se, do not form a constituent part of the invention. This arrangement can be used to produce, for example, a roof surface.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are illustrations of non-planar arrangements. FIG. 12 shows a connecting element 45 which is, for example, of curved configuration. It is, furthermore, configured such that it can perform the function of the plate 28, that is to say the connecting element 45 here has five circular openings 31 and, for example, six holes for screws 30 per opening 31. By means of these screws, the further plate 29, which belongs to each pneumatic structural element 1, but is not illustrated in FIG. 12, is screwed to the connecting element 45.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 13, a plurality of pneumatic structural elements are connected to a connecting element 46 which is configured as a polyhedron—in this case an octahedron. The pneumatic structural elements are attached to the connecting element 46 in the same way as has been explained in relation to FIG. 12. As an alternative to this, it is also possible for each plate 9, 28 to be in the form of the corresponding side of the polyhedron, in which case the polyhedron is then configured essentially from bars which form its edges.

In FIG. 14, a plurality of, for example six, planar plates 47 are joined together by welding, or by screw connections (not illustrated), to form a pyramid-like connecting element 48 which is open at the top. Each plate 47 has, for example, the function of a plate 28 according to FIG. 7.

As a variant to this, it is likewise possible for the plates 9 according to FIG. 2 to be formed such that they correspond to the plates 47 according to FIG. 14. The connecting element 48 then comprises, for example, as has already been explained analogously in relation to FIG. 13, bars, which form the edges of the connecting element 48, to which the plates 47, for example, are screwed. 

1. Joint element for introducing tensile and compressive forces, in a manner free of bending moments, into pneumatic structural elements (1) which comprise a sleeve (2), at least one compression member (3), at least two tension members (4) and two spherical caps (5), characterized in that means for fastening the tension members (4) and the compression member (3) are provided, the form is selected such that the vectors of the forces of the at least two tension members (4), of the at least one compression member (3) and of the bearing forces in the joint element added together give zero, no torques are introduced from the outside or diverted to the outside, the bending moments within the joint element occur symmetrically in relation to the at least one compression member (3).
 2. Joint element according to Patent claim 1, characterized in that it is in the form of a plate (9) and may have a large opening (10) for the spherical cap (5).
 3. Joint element according to Patent claim 2, characterized in that the plate (9) is round.
 4. Joint element according to Patent claim 2, characterized in that the plate (9) is polygonal.
 5. Joint element according to Patent claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the means for fastening the at least one compression member comprise a hole (12) with a screw (15), and the means for fastening the at least two tension members (4) comprise holes (11) for introducing the tension members (4) and fastening them with nuts (17).
 6. Joint element according to Patent claim 6, characterized in that the plate (9) is designed as a flange (27).
 7. Joint element according to Patent claim 2, characterized in that a cover (22) is provided and the large opening (10) is formed such that the cover (22), which is enclosed by a sleeve (2) of the pneumatic structural element (1), can be introduced flush into the opening (10), and auxiliary means are provided for sealing purposes, these closing off the cover (22) and the sleeve (2) in a gas-tight manner in the outward direction.
 8. Joint element according to Patent claim 7, characterized in that the cover (22) and the large opening (10) have a cylindrical part (18) and a conical or spherical part (21), and at least one O-ring (23) in an O-ring groove (24) is provided in the cylindrical part (18) of the cover (22) and an O-ring (19) in an O-ring groove (20) is provided in the cylindrical part of the opening (10).
 9. Connecting element by means of which pneumatic structural elements (1) which comprise a sleeve (2), at least one compression member (3), at least two tension members (4) and two spherical caps (5) are connected to static structures, characterized in that means for fastening at least one joint element are provided, the form is selected such that the bearing forces can be introduced into the joint elements.
 10. Connecting element according to Patent claim 9, characterized in that it is constructed from at least one plate (28) with in each case at least one shoulder (33) in which the plate (9, 27) can be positioned, and provided for each plate (28) is in each case one plate (29) which comprises at least one piece, in which a shoulder (33) is likewise made and which can be firmly screwed to the plate (28), with the result that the plate (9, 27) is accommodated by the plates (28) and (29).
 11. Connecting element according to Patent claim 10, characterized in that it is a three-dimensional body made up, at least in part, of plates (28).
 12. Connecting element according to Patent claim 9, characterized in that the connecting element is a frame structure on which the at least one joint element can be fastened and thus forms at least part of a side surface of the frame structure.
 13. Connecting element according to Patent claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it is polygonal in horizontal projection, and at least one joint element can be fastened on at least one of the side walls of the polygonal body formed in this way.
 14. Connecting element according to Patent claim 13, characterized in that joint elements can be fastened on a plurality of sides of the polygonal body, with the result that the pneumatic structural elements (1) are arranged in the manner of spokes around the connecting element.
 15. Connecting element according to Patent claim 10 or 12, characterized in that it is rectangular and a plurality of joint elements can be fastened thereon, with the result that the pneumatic structural elements run parallel to one another.
 16. Connecting element according to Patent claim 10 or 12, characterized in that it is curved and a plurality of joint elements can be fastened thereon, with the result that the pneumatic structural elements run parallel to one another.
 17. Connecting element according to Patent claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it has the external form of a tetrahedron and at least one joint element can be fastened per side of the tetrahedron.
 18. Connecting element according to Patent claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it has the external form of a cube and at least one joint element can be fastened per side of the cube.
 19. Connecting element according to Patent claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it has the external form of a truncated pyramid and at least one joint element can be fastened per side of the truncated pyramid.
 20. Connecting element according to Patent claim 12, characterized in that the at least one joint element is screwed tight. 